U.S. patent number 5,333,795 [Application Number 08/140,674] was granted by the patent office on 1994-08-02 for granular and liquid treatment material spreader.
Invention is credited to Thomas F. Jessen.
United States Patent |
5,333,795 |
Jessen |
August 2, 1994 |
Granular and liquid treatment material spreader
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for spreading on the
ground granular and liquid treatment materials at the selection of
the operator. The apparatus includes a motorized cart having
granular and liquid storage compartments and associated controls to
release the treatment materials on an as needed basis. A spray wand
is also provided to permit spraying the liquid material for detail
applications. A pump is operably connected to the liquid storage
compartment, the spray wand, and one or more area spray nozzles to
provide the liquid for spraying purposes. The granular material can
be radially broadcast from the granular storage compartment as the
cart traverses the ground. Controls for the motor and the granular
and liquid treatment operation are mounted to the apparatus for
easy access by the operator. The present invention also provides a
retrofit package for inclusion on available granular spreaders to
provide the motorized granular and liquid treatment apparatus
disclosed herein.
Inventors: |
Jessen; Thomas F. (Valparaiso,
IN) |
Family
ID: |
22492313 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/140,674 |
Filed: |
October 21, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/663; 239/157;
239/685; 239/687; D15/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
15/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01C
15/02 (20060101); A01C 15/00 (20060101); A01C
007/06 (); A01C 019/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/685,687,663,157,156,566,565 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Assistant Examiner: Trainor; Christopher G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Roper & Quigg
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A self-propelled granular and liquid material spreader,
comprising:
a chassis frame having a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposed
sides,
a first pair of wheels attached to said frame adjacent the leading
edge thereof, each of said wheels being in spaced apart relation
and having a first axle therebetween,
a granular storage compartment mounted to said frame, said
compartment having a top portion, a bottom portion, and opposed
side walls, said top portion being provided with an opening therein
through which the granular material may be delivered, said bottom
portion forming an angled trough and being provided with an opening
and a movable cover disposed therebelow, said bottom portion
extending below a plane formed by said opposed sides of said
chassis frame and said top portion extending above the plane formed
by said opposed sides of said chassis frame,
a liquid storage tank mounted adjacent said granular storage and
positioned forward of said leading edge of said chassis frame, said
tank having a filling opening near the top thereof and a hose
connector near the bottom thereof,
a second pair of wheels attached to said chassis frame adjacent the
trailing edge thereof, each of said wheels being in spaced apart
relation and having a second axle therebetween, at least one of
said second pair of wheels having at least one roller positioned
generally parallel to and radially outwardly from said second
axle,
a mounting bracket attached to said trailing edge of said chassis
frame, said mounting bracket adapted to carry a motor, said motor
operably connected to said second pair of wheels through said
second axle,
a handle attached to said trailing edge of said chassis frame, said
handle extending angularly upward with respect to a plane formed by
said opposed sides of said chassis frame, said handle equipped with
grips,
a granular activation control attached to said handle, said control
operably connected to said movable cover of said bottom portion of
said storage compartment to permit said cover to be moved from a
closed position to an open position and back,
a rotatable disc positioned on a rotatable shaft, one end of said
rotatable shaft connected to said first axle through a gear
arrangement and the other end of said rotatable shaft connected to
said bottom portion of said storage compartment, said rotatable
disc having a plurality of ribs positioned on the surface thereof
nearest said bottom portion of said storage compartment, said
rotatable disc being aligned to receive granular material that
falls through said opening of said bottom portion of said storage
compartment when said cover is in the open position,
a flexible pump hose, one end of which is connected to a hose
fitting and the other end of which is attached to an inlet of a
manifold, said pump hose positioned to be peristaltically contacted
by said at least one roller on said at least one of said second
pair of wheels, said manifold also having a first outlet, a second
outlet, and a first valve in line with said second outlet,
a supply hose communicating with said liquid tank, through said
hose connector, and with said inlet of said manifold through said
hose fitting and said pump hose,
a flexible hose, one end of which communicates with said first
outlet of said manifold and the other end of which is connected to
a second valve carried on a hand manipulated spray wand, said spray
wand having a spray nozzle on the leading end thereof, said spray
wand removably attached to said handle,
an outlet hose, one end of which communicates with said second
outlet of said manifold and the other end of which is connected to
a splitter valve, said splitter valve having at least one outlet
port in communication with an area spray nozzle having a spray
head, said area spray nozzle being carried forward of said
rotatable disc,
a motor controller and a valve actuation control attached to said
handle, said motor controller communicating with said motor to
control the speed thereof, and said valve actuation control
communicating with said first valve of said manifold to control the
operation thereof.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one roller
comprises a plurality of rollers positioned generally parallel to
and radially outwardly from said second axle and wherein said
flexible pump hose is positioned to be peristaltically contacted by
said plurality of rollers.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one roller
comprises a shaft having a removable rotatable sleeve thereon and
wherein said flexible pump hose is positioned to be peristaltically
contacted by said rotatable sleeve.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one roller
comprises a plurality of shafts positioned generally parallel to
and radially outwardly from said second axle, each of said shafts
having a removable rotatable sleeve thereon and wherein said
flexible pump hose is positioned to be peristaltically contacted by
said rotatable sleeve.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splitter valve includes a
first outlet port and a second outlet port, said first outlet port
communicating with a first area spray nozzle, said first area spray
nozzle being carried forward of said rotatable disc, said second
outlet port communicating with a second area spray nozzle, said
second area spray nozzle being carried forward of said rotatable
disc.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, said first area spray nozzle
and said second area spray nozzle are in spaced apart relation and
positioned on opposed sides of said granular storage
compartment.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle further includes a
carrying bracket on which said valve actuation control, said motor
controller, and said granular activation control are carried.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said area spray nozzle further
includes an adjustable control valve to control the flow of liquid
through said nozzle.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of said first area spray
nozzle and said second area spray nozzle further includes an
adjustable control valve to control the flow of liquid through each
of said nozzles.
10. The apparatus of claims 5 or 6 wherein said first area spray
nozzle comprises two spray nozzles and said second area spray
nozzle comprises two spray nozzles.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motor is operably
connected to said second axle through a transmission and clutch
assembly.
12. A self-propelled granular and liquid material spreader,
comprising:
a chassis frame having a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposed
sides,
a first pair of wheels attached to said frame adjacent the leading
edge thereof, each of said wheels being in spaced apart relation
and having a first axle therebetween,
a granular storage compartment mounted to said frame, said
compartment having a top portion, a bottom portion, and opposed
side walls, said top portion being provided with an opening therein
through which the granular material may be delivered, said bottom
portion forming an angled trough and being provided with an opening
and a movable cover disposed therebelow, said bottom portion
extending below a plane formed by said opposed sides of said
chassis frame and said portion extending above the plane formed by
said opposed sides of said chassis frame,
a liquid storage tank mounted adjacent said granular storage and
positioned forward of said leading edge of said chassis frame, said
tank having a filling opening near the top thereof and a first hose
connector and a second hose connector near the bottom thereof,
a second pair of wheels attached to said chassis frame adjacent the
trailing edge thereof, each of said wheels being in spaced apart
relation and having a second axle therebetween, each of said second
pair of wheels having at least one roller positioned generally
parallel to and radially outwardly from said second axle, a
mounting bracket attached to said trailing edge of said chassis
frame, said mounting bracket adapted to carry a motor, said motor
operably connected to said second pair of wheels through said
second axle,
a handle attached to said trailing edge of said chassis frame, said
handle extending angularly upward with respect to a plane formed by
said opposed sides of said chassis frame, said handle equipped with
grips,
a granular activation control attached to said handle, said control
operably connected to said movable cover of said bottom portion of
said storage compartment to permit said cover to be moved from a
closed position to an open position and back,
a rotatable disc positioned on a rotatable shaft, one end of said
rotatable shaft connected to said first axle through a gear
arrangement and the other end of said rotatable shaft connected to
said bottom portion of said storage compartment, said rotatable
disc having a plurality of ribs positioned on the surface thereof
nearest said bottom portion of said, storage compartment, said
rotatable disc being aligned to receive granular material that
falls through said opening of said bottom portion of said storage
compartment when said cover is in the open position,
a first flexible pump hose, one end of which is connected to a
first hose fitting and the other end of which is attached to an
inlet of a first manifold, said first pump hose positioned to be
peristaltically contacted by said at least one roller on one of
said second pair of wheels, said first manifold also having a first
outlet, a second outlet, and a first valve in line with said second
outlet,
a second flexible pump hose, one end of which is connected to a
second hose fitting and the other end of which is attached to an
inlet of a second manifold, said second pump hose positioned to be
peristaltically contacted by said at least one roller on the other
of said second pair of wheels, said second manifold also having a
first outlet port, a second outlet port, and a manifold valve in
line with said second outlet port,
a first supply hose communicating with said liquid tank, through
said first hose connector, and with said inlet of said first
manifold through said first hose fitting and said first pump
hose,
a second supply hose communicating with said liquid tank, through
said second hose connector, and with said inlet of said second
manifold through said second hose fitting and said second pump
hose,
a flexible hose, one end of which communicates with said first
outlet of said first manifold and the other end of which is
connected to a second valve carried on a hand manipulated spray
wand, said spray wand having a spray nozzle on the leading end
thereof, said spray wand removably attached to said handle,
a first outlet hose, one end of which communicates with said second
outlet of said first manifold and the other end of which is
connected to a first splitter valve, said first splitter valve
having at least one outlet port in communication with a first area
spray nozzle having a spray head, said first area spray nozzle
being carried forward of said rotatable disc,
a second outlet hose, one end of which communicates with said
second outlet port of said second manifold and the other end of
which is connected to said first splitter valve, said first
splitter valve having at least one outlet port in communication
with a second area spray nozzle having a spray head, said second
area spray nozzle being carried forward of said rotatable disc,
a motor controller, a first valve actuation control and a second
valve actuation control attached to said handle, said motor
controller communicating with said motor to control the speed
thereof, and said first valve actuation control communicating with
said first valve of said first manifold to control the operation
thereof and said second valve actuation control communicating with
said manifold valve of said second manifold to control the
operation thereof.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one roller of
each of said second pair of wheels comprises a plurality of rollers
positioned generally parallel to and radially outwardly from said
axle and wherein said first flexible pump hose is positioned to be
peristaltically contacted by said plurality of rollers of one of
said wheels and said second flexible pump hose is positioned to be
peristaltically contacted by said plurality of rollers of the other
of said wheels.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one roller
comprises a shaft having a removable rotatable sleeve thereon and
wherein said flexible pump hose is positioned to be peristaltically
contacted by said rotatable sleeve.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one roller of
each of said second pair of wheels comprises a plurality of shafts
positioned generally parallel to and radially outwardly from said
axle, each of said shafts having a removable rotatable sleeve
thereon and wherein said first flexible pump hose is positioned to
be peristaltically contacted by said rotatable sleeve of said
plurality of said shafts of one of said wheels and said second
flexible pump hose is positioned to be peristaltically contacted by
said rotatable sleeve of said plurality of said shafts of the other
of said wheels.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said handle further includes
a carrying bracket on which said first valve actuation control,
said second valve actuation control, said motor controller, and
said granular activation control are carried.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said liquid storage-tank
includes a first compartment communicating with said first hose
connector and a second compartment communicating with said second
hose connector.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said first area
spray nozzle and said second area spray nozzle further includes an
adjustable control valve to control the flow of liquid through each
of said nozzles.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one end said second outlet
hose communicates with said second outlet port of said second
manifold and the other end of which is connected to a second
splitter valve having at least one outlet port in communication
with said second area spray nozzle.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, said first area spray
nozzle and said second area spray nozzle are in spaced apart
relation and positioned on opposed sides of said granular storage
compartment.
21. The apparatus of claims 12 or 20 wherein said first area spray
nozzle comprises two spray nozzles and said second area spray
nozzle comprises two spray nozzles.
22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said motor is operably
connected to said second axle through a transmission and clutch
assembly.
23. In a material spreader, having a chassis frame with a leading
edge, a trailing edge and opposed sides, a first pair of wheels
attached to the frame adjacent the leading edge thereof, each of
the wheels being in spaced apart relation and having a first axle
therebetween, a granular storage compartment mounted to the frame,
the storage compartment having a top portion, a bottom portion, and
opposed side walls, with the top portion being provided with an
opening therein through which the granular material may be
delivered, and the bottom portion of the compartment forming an
angled trough and being provided with an opening and a movable
cover disposed therebelow, the bottom portion extending below a
plane formed by the opposed sides of the chassis frame and the top
portion extending above the plane formed by the opposed sides of
the chassis frame, a handle attached to the trailing edge of the
chassis frame, with the handle extending angularly upward with
respect to a plane formed by the opposed sides of the chassis
frame, the handle being equipped with grips, a granular activation
control attached to the handle, with the control operably connected
to the movable cover of the bottom portion of the storage
compartment to permit the cover to be moved from a closed position
to an open position and back, a rotatable disc positioned on a
rotatable shaft, one end of the rotatable shaft connected to the
first axle through a gear arrangement and the other end of the
rotatable shaft connected to the bottom portion of the storage
compartment, the rotatable disc having a plurality of ribs
positioned on the surface thereof nearest the bottom portion of the
storage compartment, the rotatable disc being aligned to receive
granular material that falls through the opening of the bottom
portion of the storage compartment when the cover is in the open
position, the improvement comprising a retrofit package
comprising:
a liquid storage tank and a hose connector, said liquid storage
tank to be mounted adjacent the granular storage compartment and
positioned forward of the leading edge of the chassis frame, said
tank having a filling opening near the top thereof with said hose
connector to be attached to said liquid tank near the bottom
thereof,
a second pair of wheels and a second axle, with said second pair of
wheels to be attached to the chassis frame adjacent to and below
the trailing edge thereof, each of said wheels adapted to be in
spaced apart relation with said second axle therebetween, at least
one of said second pair of wheels being provided with at least one
roller positioned generally parallel to and radially outwardly from
said second axle,
a mounting bracket and a motor, said mounting bracket to be
attached to the trailing edge of the chassis frame, said mounting
bracket adapted to carry said motor, said motor to be operably
connected to said second pair of wheels through said second
axle,
a flexible pump hose, a hose fitting and a manifold, with one end
of said flexible pump hose to be connected to said hose fitting and
the other end of which to be attached to an inlet of said manifold,
said pump hose to be positioned to be peristaltically contacted by
said at least one roller on said at least one of said second pair
of wheels, said manifold also having a first outlet, a second
outlet, and a first valve in line with said second outlet,
a supply hose to communicate with said liquid tank, through said
hose connector, and with said inlet of said manifold through said
hose fitting and said pump hose,
a flexible hose, a second valve, a hand manipulated spray wand and
a spray nozzle, one end said flexible hose to communicate with said
first outlet of said manifold and the other end of which to
communicate with said second valve carried on said hand manipulated
spray wand, said spray wand having said spray nozzle on the leading
end thereof, said spray wand to be removably attached to the
handle,
an outlet hose, a splitter valve, an area spray nozzle, and a spray
head, one end of said outlet hose to communicate with said second
outlet of said manifold and the other end of which to be connected
to said splitter valve, said splitter valve having at least one
outlet port to communicate with said spray head carried on said
area spray nozzle, said area spray nozzle to be carried forward of
the rotatable disc,
a motor controller to communicate with said motor to control the
speed thereof, and
a valve actuation control to communicate with said first valve of
said manifold to control the operation thereof.
24. In a material spreader, having a chassis frame with a leading
edge, a trailing edge and opposed sides, a first pair of wheels
attached to the frame adjacent the leading edge thereof, each of
the wheels being in spaced apart relation and having a first axle
therebetween, a granular storage compartment mounted to the frame,
the storage compartment having a top portion, a bottom portion, and
opposed side walls, with the top portion being provided with an
opening therein through which the granular material may be
delivered, and the bottom portion of the compartment forming an
angled trough and being provided with an opening and a movable
cover disposed therebelow, the bottom portion extending below a
plane formed by the opposed sides of the chassis frame and the top
portion extending above the plane formed by the opposed sides of
the chassis frame, a handle attached to the trailing edge of the
chassis frame, with the handle extending angularly upward with
respect to a plane formed by the opposed sides of the chassis
frame, the handle being equipped with grips, a granular activation
control attached to the handle, with the control operably connected
to the movable cover of the bottom portion of the storage
compartment to permit the cover to be moved from a closed position
to an open position and back, a rotatable disc positioned on a
rotatable shaft, one end of the rotatable shaft connected to the
first axle through a gear arrangement and the other end of the
rotatable shaft connected to the bottom portion of the storage
compartment, the rotatable disc having a plurality of ribs
positioned on the surface thereof nearest the bottom portion of the
storage compartment, the rotatable disc being aligned to receive
granular material that falls through the opening of the bottom
portion of the storage compartment when the cover is in the open
position, the improvement comprising a retrofit package
comprising:
a liquid storage tank and a hose connector, said liquid storage
tank to be mounted adjacent the granular storage compartment and
positioned forward of the leading edge of the chassis frame, said
tank having a filling opening near the top thereof with said hose
connector to be attached to said liquid tank near the bottom
thereof,
a second pair of wheels and a second axle, with said second pair of
wheels to be attached to the chassis frame adjacent to and below
the trailing edge thereof, each of said wheels adapted to be in
spaced apart relation with said second axle therebetween, at least
one of said second pair of wheels being provided with at least one
roller positioned generally parallel to and radially outwardly from
said second axle,
a mounting bracket and a motor, said mounting bracket to be
attached to the trailing edge of the chassis frame, said mounting
bracket adapted to carry said motor, said motor to be operably
connected to said second pair of wheels through said second
axle,
a first flexible pump hose, a first hose fitting and a first
manifold, with one end of said first flexible pump hose to be
connected to said first hose fitting and the other end of which to
be attached to an inlet of said first manifold, said first pump
hose to be positioned to be peristaltically contacted by said at
least one roller on said at least one of said second pair of
wheels, said first manifold also having a first outlet, a second
outlet, and a first valve in line with said second outlet,
a second flexible pump hose, a second hose fitting and a second
manifold, with one end of said second flexible pump hose to be
connected to said second hose fitting and the other end of which to
be attached to an inlet of said second manifold, said second pump
hose to be positioned to be peristaltically contacted by said at
least one roller on the other of said at least one of said second
pair of wheels, said second manifold also having a first outlet
port, a second outlet port, and a manifold valve in line with said
second outlet port,
a first supply hose to communicate with said liquid tank, through
said first hose connector, and with said inlet of said first
manifold through said first hose fitting and said first pump
hose,
a second supply hose to communicate with said liquid tank, through
said second hose connector, and with said inlet of said second
manifold through said second hose fitting and said second pump
hose,
a flexible hose, a second valve, a hand manipulated spray wand and
a spray nozzle, one end said flexible hose to communicate with said
first outlet of said first manifold and the other end of which to
communicate with said second valve carried on said hand manipulated
spray wand, said spray wand having said spray nozzle on the leading
end thereof, said spray wand to be removably attached to the
handle,
a first outlet hose, a first splitter valve, a first area spray
nozzle, and a first spray head, one end of said first outlet hose
to communicate with said second outlet of said first manifold and
the other end of which to be connected to said first splitter
valve, said first splitter valve having at least one outlet port to
communicate with said first spray head carried on said first area
spray nozzle, said first area spray nozzle to be carried forward of
the rotatable disc,
a second outlet hose, a second area spray nozzle, and a second
spray head, one end of said second outlet hose to communicate with
said second outlet of said second manifold and the other end of
which to be connected to said first splitter valve, said first
splitter valve having at least one outlet port to communicate with
said second spray head carried on said second area spray nozzle,
said second area spray nozzle to be carried forward of the
rotatable disc,
a motor controller to be attached to the handle, said motor
controller to communicate with said motor to control the speed
thereof,
a first valve actuation control to communicate with said first
valve of said first manifold to control the operation thereof,
and
a second valve actuation control to communicate with said manifold
valve of said second manifold to control the operation thereof.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, further including a second splitter
valve and wherein one end of said second outlet hose is to
communicate with said second outlet port of said second manifold
and the other end of which is to be connected to said second
splitter valve, said second splitter valve having at least one
outlet port to communicate with said second area spray nozzle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus to spread known granular
and liquid treatment materials. The apparatus is particularly
useful in the lawn and garden environments to spread granular and
liquid fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and the
like to enhance and control plant growth.
Proper treatment and maintenance of soils, lawns, gardens and the
like must be periodically performed in order to enhance and control
plant growth. For example, many homeowners know that lawn
maintenance can be a long and difficult project. Lawn maintenance
can vary widely depending on such factors as terrain
characteristics, climate, and the amount and type of previous care
given to the lawn. However, proper lawn maintenance should include
the application of various types of seed, fertilizers,
insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other such materials
depending on the condition of the lawn be treated and the desired
treatment outcome. These materials are typically available as solid
granular materials or liquid solutions.
Prior to the present invention to be described herein, separate
compact hand operated apparatus for the treatment of a lawn with
either liquid or granular material were known. With these systems,
the lawn is first treated with one type of material using one hand
operated apparatus, and subsequently treated with the second
material using another hand operated apparatus. Use of these
separate systems results in a duplication of time and labor at an
increased cost. Also, duplication of operator efforts using such
systems adds substantially to the fatigue experienced by the
operator.
One prior device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,090 which
describes a rotary spreader where material is deposited on a rotary
disc and is broadcast upon rotation of the disc as the spreader is
manually pushed. This spreader includes a deflector used with the
rotating disc. The deflector functions to intercept the material
broadcast by the disc, which material would normally be directed to
one side of the spreader, and redirect that material to the other
side of the spreader. Because this device can only spread granular
material, other devices must be used to apply the liquid treatment
material. This results in duplication of operator efforts and
requires the operator to have two different devices available, thus
increasing the operator's overall costs.
Another prior device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,486. That
device is said to be capable of both spreading granular material
and spraying a liquid; however, this device is hand operated, and
the operator must manually push the apparatus over the lawn area.
Because the apparatus carries not only granular treatment material
but also liquid treatment material, it is substantially heavier in
use than the typical spreader carrying one or the other material.
Thus, when fully loaded it is more difficult to overcome the
device's rolling resistance. Moreover, this device requires that it
be moving in order for the liquid material to be sprayed. Further,
the device disclosed in this patent provides the capability of
spraying the liquid material only to relatively wide open turf
areas. However, typical lawn areas are interspersed and surrounded
by ornamental plantings, gardens, overhanging shrubs, and the like,
which could be damaged by contact with certain liquid treatment
materials. To avoid damage to these areas, the operator of this
known apparatus must avoid spraying too close. However, gaps in
spray coverage can result in unacceptable imperfections in the
turf. Consequently, the operator must transverse the lawn area a
second time with a hand operated sprayer to perform the close-in
detailed trimming. This, of course, can substantially increase
time, labor, cost, and operator fatigue associated with tending
such areas.
A further prior device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,463. That
patent describes a motor driven lawn treatment spreader that
contains means for spreading dry materials. The device is also
equipped with a hose connection that enables it to be connected via
a hose to a source of liquid material carried on a stand-alone
vehicle, such as a truck or van. The truck or van carries a pump
that pumps the liquid material through the hose to the spreader.
Thus, while this device has the capability of applying both dry and
liquid treatment materials, it requires a separate truck or van as
the carrying source of the liquid material and a hose of sufficient
length to permit ready application of the liquid. Because the
device pulls the hose (and the liquid carried therethrough), it is
possible that in certain uses the overall weight of the hose and
the liquid carried therein will exceed the pulling power of the
motor driven spreader. In addition, pulling the hose along a lawn
may result in damage to ornamental plantings, and the like, unless
care is taken during use. Furthermore, this device is propelled via
a chain and sprocket assembly operating in conjunction with the
motor. Such arrangement may be susceptible to detrimental wear when
pulling the liquid-carrying hose.
It is apparent from the aforementioned prior devices, which are
typical of the lawn spreader art, that none of the disclosed
compact or hand operated spreaders or sprayers, or combined
spreader-sprayers fully eliminates the duplication of work-which
must be performed by the operator of such devices.
That is, since each of the prior single function carts performs
only a single operation an operator must first treat a lawn with
either only a liquid or granular type material, and subsequently
repeat the treatment with the other type of material. This
duplicative two-stage lawn treatment procedure is obviously time
consuming and expensive. Moreover, because the device described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,486 performs only wide area application of
liquid and granular products, an operator must subsequently repeat
the treatment of the liquid product in narrow turf areas and around
susceptible ornamental plantings. This duplicative two-stage lawn
treatment procedure is, again, time consuming and expensive.
Further, from the disclosed art in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,486
describing the multi-function cart, it is impossible to operate a
hand-held narrow area spray nozzle from a stationary position even
if so equipped due to the fact that the above-mentioned cart must
be in motion to pump the liquid. The stationary trimming feature is
most advantageous where precision work is required of the operator
and movement would interfere with the precise placement of the
liquid product.
In addition, it is apparent from the disclosed art covering
manually operated compact walk-behind spreaders, sprayers, or
combination spreader-sprayers that none of the disclosed compact or
hand-operated spreaders, or sprayers, or spreader-sprayers
eliminates the operator fatigue caused by the exertion required to
manually propel the devices. That is, because the disclosed carts
requires an operator to push them, the lawn treatment procedure or
procedures are obviously fatiguing.
In any event, as evident from the foregoing, there is no suggestion
in the known compact hand operated lawn treatment art to provide a
self-contained, self-propelled spreader capable of both spreading
granular material and spraying liquid material to wide areas of the
lawn and spraying liquid material to narrow trim areas of the lawn
while on the move or from a stationary position.
The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages by
providing a compact self-contained, self-propelled walk behind lawn
treatment apparatus which enables its operator selectively to
spread granular material to wide areas of the lawn, to spray liquid
material to wide areas of the lawn, to spray liquid to narrow areas
of the lawn, and to simultaneously perform any two or more of these
functions. The present invention is designed to eliminate the
duplication of steps now required to spread granular and liquid
materials to all areas of the lawn using a walk behind spreader,
and to reduce the physical exertion required to operate a compact
walk behind spreader.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a number of
commercially available compact hand operated granular spreaders can
be readily retrofitted to provide the self-propelled and spray
features of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a lawn and garden care apparatus
that can be used to spread granular treatment materials to wide
areas, spray liquid treatment materials to wide or narrow areas, at
the discretion of the operator, while moving forward or from a
stationary position. The apparatus can also be used to perform
simultaneously any two or more of these treatment approaches. The
spreader is compact, intended to be walked behind, and includes a
motor, a motor controller, a transmission, and drive wheels.
Moreover, the spreader includes a bin or bins for accommodating
granular treatment material, and a dispenser to dispense the
material on the lawn to be treated. At least one tank of liquid
treatment material is provided. Hoses, which define a fluid flow
path, connect the liquid tank to one or more chassis mounted wide
area spray nozzles and to a hand operated narrow area spray nozzle.
Valves are positioned in communication with the hoses which enable
the operator to selectively cause fluid contained within the hose
to flow through the wide area spray nozzles or the narrow area
spray nozzle, or both. A peristaltic pump is operatively associated
with the hoses and drive wheels to provide flow to the respective
spray nozzles when the drive wheels are turning and the respective
valves are actuated.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention can also be
used in association with known hand operated spreaders having only
granular spreading capabilities by ready retrofit. Likewise, the
present invention can also be used in association with known hand
operated spreaders which have granular and liquid capabilities by
ready retrofit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of one embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of one embodiment of the
apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the peristaltic pump
arrangement of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of one embodiment of
the apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 showing two
pumps.
FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a portion of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 2.
The apparatus there shown includes a granular storage compartment 4
having an opening on the top thereof and having a bottom portion
with a sloped, or trough, shape to ensure that granular material
contained in the compartment will readily fall by gravity to the
bottom of the compartment. The compartment 4 may also be fitted
with a hinged or removable lid (not shown) to cover the top of the
compartment.
The compartment 4 is attached to chassis frame 6 which may be, for
example, tubular metal bent in the form of a one-piece frame. In
such configuration, the frame 6 may be bolted, screwed, welded, or
otherwise affixed, near the bottom portion of the compartment 4. On
the other hand, the frame 6 may simply be a plate affixed to the
bottom of the compartment 4. Other forms of the chassis frame are
contemplated herein. Irrespective of the exact configuration of the
frame 6, frame 6 has an opening therein that allows granular
material in the compartment 4 to pass therethrough.
Frame 6, as shown in FIG. 1, is also provided with extension hubs 8
(see FIG. 4) through which an axle 10 (see FIG. 4) is positioned.
Axle 10 is connected, at each end thereof, to wheels 12.
A liquid tank 14 is also attached adjacent to the compartment 4.
The tank 14, which may be made from, for example, metal or plastic,
can be abutted-against the compartment 4 or may be off-set
therefrom. In the latter situation, the tank 14 may be connected to
an extension of frame 6 (not shown in FIG. 1) for purposes
hereinafter described.
The frame 6 is connected, as by bolts, screws, welds, and the like,
to handle 16 and mounting bracket 18. Handle 16 includes extensions
20 (see FIG. 4) and grips 22; support bars (not shown) may connect
each extension 20 to provide a degree of rigidity to, and reduce
the torque of, handle 16.
The mounting bracket 18 has affixed thereto a motor 26. The motor
26 may be fuel or electric powered; if electric powered, provision
is made on bracket 18 for carrying one or more batteries connected
to motor 26. Alternatively, if motor 26 is fuel powered, such as a
2-stroke gasoline fueled engine, the motor will have an associated
fuel reservoir, a starter and other mechanisms standard in the
motor art.
The apparatus 2 also includes drive wheels 28 connected via an axle
30 (see FIG. 2). The motor 26 is operatively connected to axle 30
of drive wheels 28 through a centrifugal clutch (not shown) and a
transmission 32 (see FIG. 2).
With further reference to FIG. 1 and with reference to FIG. 4, a
platter 34 is positioned between the bottom portion of compartment
4 and the axle 10 of wheels 12. The rotatable platter, or disc, 34
is attached to a shaft 36 which in turn is connected to gearing
arrangement 38 associated with the axle 10. The gearing arrangement
38 is such that rotational movement of the axle 10 causes the shaft
36 to turn and hence the platter 34 to spin in a plane generally
parallel to the direction of travel of the wheels 12. The platter
34, which is provided with one or more ribs, or impeller blades,
40, is located below a hinged, slidable, or rotatable cover (not
shown) associated with the bottom of the compartment 4. Thus, when
the platter 34 is spinning, granular material falling from the
compartment 4 through the cover, when it is in the open position,
is thrown by the ribs 40 in an radially outward direction.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the apparatus 2 is also provided with a
flexible supply hose 44, one end of which communicates through a
connect/disconnect hose connector (not shown) with a lower portion
of the liquid tank 14. The supply hose 44 may be attached to the
exterior of the compartment 4 or to the frame 6, or both, as by
clips and the like (not shown). The other end of the hose 44 is
attached to a secured hose fitting inlet 46. Inlet 46 is in turn
connected to one end of pump hose 48, the other end of pump hose 48
being attached to the inlet side of a manifold 50.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pump hose 48 is positioned around pump
rollers 52; the rollers 52 are connected to drive wheels 28
radially outwardly from the central axis of the axle 30. The
rollers 52 may be constructed from a metal shaft or tube having a
rotatable sleeve (not shown) secured thereon. The rotatable sleeve
may be provided with guides 53 positioned on each side of the pump
hose 48 (see FIG. 3) to ensure that the pump hose 48 does not slip
off the roller 52. Such arrangement allows the rollers 52 to ride
over the surface of the pump hose 48 as the wheels 28 turn and thus
impart a peristaltic action to the pump hose 48. This peristaltic
action pumps liquid from the liquid tank 14 for purposes described
hereinafter. In addition, the rotatable sleeve on the rollers 52
advantageously reduces friction and wear as the rollers 52 contact
the pump hose 48 while still imparting the peristaltic pump
action.
The manifold 50 is provided with a first outlet 54 and a second
outlet 56 (see FIG. 3). The first outlet 54 communicates through
flexible hose 58 to hand actuated valve 60 (see FIG. 2). The valve
60 is coupled to a spray wand 62 which in turn is coupled to spray
discharge nozzle 64. The second outlet 56 of the manifold 50
communicates with a valve 66; the valve 66 communicates with spray
nozzle 68 through outlet hose 70 (see FIG. 1). As seen in FIG. 1,
two nozzles 68 are provided; in this regard, it will be apparent
that the exact number of nozzles provided on each side of the
apparatus 2 may vary with the intended use of the apparatus.
The handle 16 may carry certain controllers for use during the
operation of the present invention. For example, the handle 16 may
have motor controller 72 operably connected to the motor 26 to
control the speed thereof. In addition, the handle 16 may include a
granular control lever 74 operably connected, as by a push-pull
cable (not shown), to the cover (not shown) associated with
compartment 4 to cause the cover to be opened, thereby controlling
release of the granular material from the compartment 4. One or
more valve actuation controls 76 may also be located on the handle
16; the controls 76 are operably connected to valve 66 by one or
more cables 78.
FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus 2 of the
present invention. As there shown the pump rollers 52 are
positioned on the outboard sides of the wheels 28. A plate (not
shown) may be attached to the mounting bracket 18 to extend beyond
the outward location of the pump rollers 52 to shield those
rollers. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 in which the
pump rollers 52 are positioned on the inboard sides of the wheels
28. In this latter configuration, the length of the axle 30 is
adjusted to ensure that there is adequate clearance for the pump
hose 48 to be positioned around the pump rollers 52 without binding
or crimping against the outermost sides of the motor 26.
As also shown in FIG. 2, the flexible hose 58 can be looped over
the handle 16 for carry; a receiving clip (not shown) can also be
placed on the handle 16 to secure the hose 58 when the latter is
not in use. Preferably the hose 58 should be of such a length to
allow the operator to use the spray wand 62 at some distance from
the apparatus 2. Motor controller 72 and valve actuation control 76
could be located on bracket plate 82 attached to the handle 16;
although not so shown in FIG. 2, granular control lever 74 may also
be located on the plate 82.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a close-up perspective of a portion of
FIG. 1 is shown. As noted in FIG. 3, the supply hose 44 is
connected to the inlet 46; this connection may be made by hose barb
fittings and clamps. One end of the pump hose 48 is also connected
to the inlet 46. The other end of the pump hose 48 is connected to
the inlet side of manifold 50. The manifold 50 may be a simple
T-pipe configuration, with the first leg thereof attached to the
pump hose 50, the first outlet 54 attached to the flexible hose 58
and the second outlet 56 attached to the valve 66. The valve 66,
which is positioned in line with the second outlet 56, feeds to the
outlet hose 70.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 3 provides several advantages to the
present invention. For example, when the invention is in use, the
drive wheels 28 are powered by motor 26. As the drive wheels 28
rotate, the pump rollers 52 and associated rotatable sleeves ride
over the pump hose 48 to provide a peristaltic pumping action to
the pump hose 48. Thus, liquid is withdrawn from the liquid tank 14
(see FIG. 1) and flowed through supply hose 44, inlet 46 and pump
hose 48 to the manifold 50. If, during operation, the valve 66 is
in the closed position, i.e., no liquid flows through the outlet
hose 70 to the spray nozzle 68, the liquid will flow through the
flexible hose 58 to the spray wand 62 to maintain a head of
pressure in the hose 58 and wand 62. This ensures that the spray
wand will be under pressure and ready for use during close-in
liquid treatment applications.
In addition, the arrangement provides that when the valve 66 is in
the open position, a portion of the liquid stream flowing through
the manifold 50 will be diverted to the flexible hose 58 and the
spray wand 62, again to maintain a head of pressure therein. Also,
a portion of the liquid stream will flow through the outlet hose 70
and to the spray nozzle 68 and will maintain a head of pressure in
the hose 70 until the nozzle 68 is opened for the spraying
operation. Although the valve 66 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as being
separated from the manifold 50, it will be appreciated that valve
66 can also be integral to the manifold 50. In another embodiment,
the nozzles 68 are of the automatic type and will open to discharge
liquid upon the application of a head of pressure. Thus, when the
valve 66 is closed, the spray wand will be under pressure, as
described above, and the nozzles 68 will be in the closed position.
When the valve 66 is thereafter opened, the nozzle 68 will deliver
liquid without the operator first having to open manually the
nozzles 68.
An alternative configuration to that shown in FIG. 3 is depicted in
FIG. 6. As there shown, four pump rollers 52 (rotatable sleeves not
shown) are provided on the drive wheel 28. These rollers 52 are in
paired relationship (i.e., rollers 52a and 52b form one pair and
rollers 52c and 52d form the other pair) and are offset radially
from the axis of the drive wheel axle 30. (The wheel 28 is shown in
dashed lines for clarity). Such arrangement also imparts
peristaltic action to the pump hose 48 and has the advantage of
providing a more even flow of liquid to the manifold 50 when
compared to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 3; that is, the
FIG. 6 configuration provides less of a pulsating effect to the
liquid. The configuration shown in FIG. 6 may be used in both the
outboard arrangement of FIG. 1 or the inboard arrangement of FIG.
5.
Again referring to FIG. 6, it will be noted that angle couplings 88
may be provided to change direction of the hose 44 and the hose 70,
as may be necessary. Such angle couplings may also be provided, as
needed, in relation to the embodiment depicted in, for example,
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 depicts a front perspective view of the apparatus 2. As
there noted, the outlet hose 70 communicates with spray nozzles 68
through valve 92. The valve 92 may be, for example, a simple
T-splitter valve or may include mechanism to channel flow of the
liquid to one side or the other or both of the apparatus. The valve
92 is connected to nozzles 68 via extension tubes 94. The tubes 94
may be fastened, as by bolts and screws, to compartment 4 via clips
96; alternatively, the tubes 94, if metal, can be welded to
compartment 4. FIG. 4 shows that the valve 92 and portions of the
tubes 94 are positioned between the front surface of the
compartment 4 and the rear surface of the tank 14. In such
arrangement, the compartment 4 and tank 14 may be in spaced-apart
relation, with the tank being carried on an extension of frame 6,
as described above in relation to FIG. 1. Alternatively, the tank
14 may have, on the rear surface thereof, an indent (not shown) in
which the valve 92 and portions of the tubes 94 may rest. This
latter configuration would allow the tank 14 to be abutted against
the compartment 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, one spray nozzle 68 may be positioned on each
side of the compartment 4. Each spray nozzle 68 may contain a check
valve 98 to prevent dripping of the treatment liquid if the
pressure in the hose 70 and tube 94 falls; the nozzle 68 also
includes a spray head 100. Typically, each spray nozzle 68 is
positionable on the end of the extension tube 68 so that the
direction of spray from head 100 can be controlled. In this regard,
it is advantageous to position the nozzle 68 outwardly and downward
from the apparatus 2 so that each spray head 100 will form an
arcuate spray pattern of about 110.degree., with the pattern being
sprayed in a downward direction generally about 60.degree. to about
90.degree. from the direction of travel of the apparatus 2.
However, because the spray nozzles 68 are positionable, the exact
areal coverage of the spray emanating from the spray heads 100 can
be adjusted according to need.
As noted in FIG. 4, two spray nozzles 68 are provided. In this
configuration, each spray nozzle receives liquid from the tank 14
via the peristaltic action imparted to the pump hose 48. If it is
desired to increase the volume of liquid flow to the nozzles 68,
this can be accomplished by adding another line 70 and valve 92 in
communication with the extension tube 94. For example, FIG. 2
depicts pump hoses 48, and associated supply hoses, pump inlets,
manifolds, pump rollers, outlet hoses, and valve actuation
controls, positioned on each of the drive wheels 28. In this
configuration, each pump hose 48 will transmit treatment liquid to
the tubes 94 and hence the nozzles 68.
Moreover, if it is desired to use two different types of treatment
liquid, this can be accomplished easily by dividing the tank 14
into two separate chambers, with one chamber feeding to one of the
spray nozzles 68 (or one set of nozzles 68 if multiple nozzles are
provided on each side of apparatus 2) and the other chamber feeding
to the second nozzle 68 (or to the second set of nozzles 68 if
multiple nozzles are provided). Likewise, if it is desired to make
provisions for two spray wands 62, this can be accompanied in the
same manner and as also described above in relation to the wand 62
of FIG. 1. While these embodiments are not depicted in the
drawings, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate their
construction and mode of operation upon reading the entirety of
this disclosure.
Thus, the apparatus of the invention described to this point can be
broadly characterized as a motor driven granular and liquid
treatment material spreader that can spread granular material only,
spray liquid treatment only, or perform both functions
simultaneously. In addition, the invention can be readily
configured to spray the liquid treatment material from one or the
other sides, or both, of the apparatus. Further, the invention
contemplates that two different liquid treatment materials can be
sprayed. Also, the invention contemplates that from one to two hand
operated spray wands may be available for use in close-in
detailing.
Use of the apparatus described above will now be briefly
summarized. Once the motor 26 is started and the centrifugal clutch
engaged, the drive wheels 28 will push the apparatus 2 across the
surface to be treated, e.g., a lawn. When it is desired to spread
granular material, the control lever 74 is operated to open the
cover at the bottom of the granular storage compartment 4 and the
granular material falls by gravity to the platter 34. Because the
platter 34 is spinning, the ribs 40 act to throw the material in a
radially outward direction. At the time that it is desired to spray
liquid treatment material, either one or both of the valve
actuation controls 76 are engaged to open the valve 66 for
communication through the second outlet 56 of the manifold 50 to
the outlet hose 70. Due to the peristaltic action imparted to the
pump hose 48, liquid is pumped from the liquid tank 14 through the
hose 70 to the spray nozzle 68 and spray head 100.
When it is desired to perform close-in detailing using the spray
wand 62, it may be desirable to stop the granular spreading and
liquid spraying for reasons both of economy and to ensure that
particular portions of the lawn are not over-treated. Accordingly,
the control lever 74 is operated to close the cover at the bottom
of the compartment 4 and the valve actuation controls 76 are
manipulated to close the valves 66. Thereafter, the apparatus is
tilted so that the drive wheels 28 do not contact the ground (the
center of gravity of the apparatus 2 being such that the wheels 28
can be lifted off of the ground while the apparatus is balanced on
the wheels 12) and the spray wand 62 is removed from its carrying
location. Actuation of the hand valve 60 causes liquid treatment
material to flow to and through the spray discharge nozzle 64 of
the spray wand 62 . Upon completion of the close-in detailing, the
hand valve 60 is disengaged and the wand 62 is returned to its
carrying location. Drive wheels 28 are again placed in contact with
the ground and further treatment operations can occur as described
above. Of course, the use of the spray wand 62 is not restricted to
the time when the apparatus 2 is stationary. Rather, because the
wand 62 is under liquid pressure when the apparatus is used, it is
possible to operate the wand 62 as the apparatus traverses a
treatment area.
While the invention described thus far has been directed to a
complete apparatus, including the chassis frame, granular storage
compartment, motor, platter, wheels, etc., the invention also
contemplates that certain components can be retrofit onto existing
granular spreaders. For example, Lakeshore Equipment & Supply
Company, Elyria, Ohio, sells several different granular spreaders
under the designation LESCO Spreader, LESCO Hi-Wheel Spreader and
LESCO Gasoline-Powdered Hydraulic-Driven Spreader. These units
include generally a chassis frame, a granular storage compartment,
one pair of wheels (which may or may not be motor powered), a
handle, a lever to control the opening and closing of a trap door
located at the bottom of the storage compartment, and a spinning
platter to throw the granular material outwardly. Thus, with
spreaders such as these, certain components of the present
invention can be retrofit. For example, the motor 26, drive wheels
28, liquid tank 14, supply hose 44, pump hose 48, manifold 50, pump
rollers 52, valve 66, valve actuation control 76, outlet hose 70,
flexible hose 58, spray wand 62, spray discharge nozzle 64,
splitter valve 92, extension tubes 94, and spray nozzle 68 can be
mounted on such units in the manner discussed above in relation to,
for example, FIGS. 1-6, to provide all of the advantages described
herein. Accordingly, these and related retrofit components also
form a part of the present invention.
* * * * *